Complete this text about using a computer for word processing.

I wrote a report on the …………………………….(1) this morning. When I finished, I …………….. (2) out two copies – one for me and one for my boss. Then, without any warning, the computer went………………..(3), and I’m afraid I lost the whole document. This is very unusual because normally I ……………..(4) the data when I’m writing and then I make a ……………………….(5) copy when I have finished; this morning I forgot.

Anyway, I gave the report to my boss, hoping she would not ask me to change it in any way. She did. She thought it was a bit long and said it would be better if I used more …………………….(6) to illustrate some of the written information. She also thought it would make the report look more attractive.

I went back and rewrote most of the report when the computer was OK, only I …………….(7)part of the middle section which was rather repetitive , and added extra …………………. (8) as my boss advised. It did look better by the time I’d finished, and this time I remembered to …………………(9) it and make a ……………………(10) copy.

42* There are more ‘computer’ words in the box. Insert them into the sentences correctly.

a) The computer stores large amounts of information on its…………………………….........................................................

b) When a program is running, it is using the computer’s ………………………………..........................................................

c) A small picture that represents a program is called an ………………………………..........................................................

d) The flashing symbol that shows where text will appear is the ………………………..................................................................

e) When you’ve finished writing text you often want to ………………………………….........................................................

f) You can click the left or right mouse …………………………....................................................................

g) Organizations use the internet to provide information about themselves – they put the information on their …………….………………………….................................................

h) You connect the computer to the internet via a ……………………….……………….................................................

i) Hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor across any text that you want to ………………………………………………………….........................

Have you partner answer these questions.

1 Do you have a computer at home? If so, what is it?

2 Do you use computers at university? If so, what type?

What do you use them for?

3 Would you say you are computer-literate?

4 Do you find most computers user-friendly?

5 What software programmes are you familiar with?

6 Do you use e-mail?

7 Have you used CD-ROM? If so, what programmes did

you use and why?

8 Do you think the Internet will continue to have an

important influence on our daily lives?

9 Do you think it will be important in helping people from

different countries to learn English?

Getting professional

In pairs, roleplay a teacher-student session explaining the purpose and function of the computer and its components. Feel free to add any relevant information.

Say how computer-literate you are. Make use of Ex. 43.

Discussion

46 Discuss advantages (and disadvantages) of using a personal computer. How can computer literacy (and availability) add to your university studies?